Toronto hosts another NBA Cup matchup tonight, but with both teams already eliminated from the tournament, the spotlight shifts to the visiting Indiana Pacers.
Pascal Siakam, who spent nearly eight seasons in Toronto, makes his third return to Scotiabank Arena since being traded to the Pacers in January. Despite signing a contract extension with Indiana, Siakam remains deeply connected to Toronto, the city that shaped him after he arrived as a 19-year-old. Known for his contributions on and off the court, Siakam’s impact on the community continues even after his departure.
Though the trade signaled divergent paths for both teams, their current standings suggest they’re more similar than expected. The Raptors, committed to a strategy of competitive rebuilding, have been competitive at home with a 5-4 record but struggle on the road, leaving them near the bottom of the Eastern Conference.
Similarly, the Pacers have faced road woes, holding an impressive 7-3 home record but faltering with a 2-9 mark away from Indiana. Their inability to win on the road has kept them under .500 and among the East’s lower-tier teams. Tonight, playing in Toronto, the Raptors appear poised for victory, especially after a strong showing against the Miami Heat, where RJ Barrett scored 37 points and Scottie Barnes narrowly missed a second straight triple-double.
The Pacers, known for their high-paced style of play, could make it an exciting, high-scoring affair. With the Raptors’ key players, Barrett and Barnes, in strong form, Toronto has the chance to capitalize on Indiana’s defensive vulnerabilities.
Where to Watch:
TSN, 7:30 PM EST
Projected Lineups:
Toronto: Scottie Barnes, Ja’Kobe Walter, Ochai Agbaji, RJ Barrett, Jakob Poeltl
Indiana: Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner
Injuries:
Toronto: Gradey Dick (calf, OUT), Immanuel Quickley (elbow, OUT), Bruce Brown (knee, OUT), Kelly Olynyk (back, OUT)
Indiana: James Wiseman (achilles, OUT), Isaiah Jackson (achilles, OUT), Ben Sheppard (oblique, OUT), Aaron Nesmith (ankle, OUT), Andrew Nembhard (knee, QUESTIONABLE)
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